Is it just us, or is there anyone else out there who's trying to finish up last year's gifts before this year's Christmas? Both in the giving and receiving?For example, last year for Christmas, we got Theo new seat covers for his car. The upholstery in his car is light tan and was definitely worse for the wear. Thus, we thought the covers were something he could use. Well, he didn't put them on immediately and forgot about them in the back of his closet. When his birthday rolled around 5 months later, we said that we would clean his car, check all of the fluids, etc. and install his seat covers as a gift. But it never seemed to make it to the top of our To Do list and Theo never mentioned it. So our good intentions continued to languish. Finally, a couple of months ago, we checked his fluids, tire pressure, etc. I guess that was probably the most important part of the gift, so good for us for starting with that.
However, the covers continued to remain in their package, that is, until this morning. I am pleased to say that Theo now has a clean car inside and out and new seat covers installed. He is happy and so are we. And it's not even Christmas Eve.
On the receiving end, I was given a couple of things that I have yet to use. No good reason, except for the out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing. These are things that am interested in, but my follow through was not the best. And Ward has a gift card still to use that he was given last year. How many more shopping days do we have?
Better get busy if we're going to finish last years gifts before we finish preparing this years.
Until next time...
(By the way, if you are one of the people reading this who gave us gifts last year, thank you very much. And rest assured, we're not talking about yours being left unused. We're talking about someone else's. 😉 )
Ha! Now if this isn't a clear demonstration of a first world problem, I don't know what is. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy family isn't big into Christmas gifts. My Dad usually gives me money, or sometimes just a nice dinner out. CatMan always buys me something I really need or want - this year it was a new bike pump that I've been lusting after for many months. My brother, on the other hand, tends to buy me books which largely go unread. Sigh. Maybe it's just me and my dislike for reading, but getting a book always feels a bit like getting a homework assignment, so I fear they generally get re-gifted or donated to a thrift store.
I was thinking as I was writing this of how lucky we were to have gifts that are truly extras. Yep, a first world problem.
DeleteDo you like to listen to books? For some who don't like reading, they do enjoy listening to a book.
I haven't tried audio books... well, that's not exactly true. Back when I was selling used books online I'd occasionally end up with an audio book from a garage sale or something, and I felt obligated to listen to it to make sure the quality was OK before listing it for sale. I did actually enjoy that, so maybe it's worth a try.
DeleteOf course, the stuff my brother buys is not usually "light" reading. We tend to talk politics a lot, so lately he buys me books in that category - which is OK, but honestly not something I can generally stomach for the length of an entire book!
Aside from my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, I'm ashamed to say that I don't even quite remember what I got for Christmas last year! But I did use my stand mixer throughout the year. I used to think that returning gifts was rude, but if it's something that Greg has bought me and that was a missed guess, I do return it because it's OUR money and it bothers me if it's wasted on stuff I'm not going to use.
ReplyDeleteI don't read as much as I used to but I do like getting books, as long as they're books I requested. This year I put a couple of hiking guide books for Vermont on my Christmas list since we're thinking about going there and my library system doesn't really have anything interesting or recent for that matter.
But your post really reminded me that my daughter handpainted a terracota gardening pot for me for Mother's Day (this year? Last year? I can't even remember!) and while I love it and the idea, I haven't used it yet to plant anything and it's just sitting there in my breezeway. I need to try to remember to use it to plant something this Spring.
I put a gardening book on my list this year. It was one I checked out of the library that I decided that I'd like a copy of my own. I just remembered that when you mentioned your Vermont books. Now I'm curious if anyone got it for me or not. I won't have wait much longer to find out. :)
DeleteHaha, I thought I was the only one to do that! My kids got gift cards for the movie theater last year (which I had suggested as a gift!) and we finally used them up this past week--not because we didn't appreciate it, but because there weren't many movies which caught our interest.
ReplyDeleteToday I am wearing a necklace for, I think, the first time. It was a Christmas gift 2 or 3 years ago. It's very pretty but requires an open neckline. In the winter I tend to want to wear something covering me up for warmth and in the summer, necklaces feel hot and "picky" to me. I also have been given a couple pairs of earrings (my favorite jewelry) that have been barely worn because they are studs. My ears were not pierced evenly and I feel like studs draw attention to that, but I don't know how to tell that to the giver. My hair is now long enough that I can comb it over my ears, so maybe that solves the problem. :)
I normally dislike re-gifting or returning gifts but when I am given scented lotions, I send them on, as they irritate my skin.
Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!
Have you thought about letting your ears holes grow back and getting them pierced again? If earrings are your favorites, it's a shame if you don't get to wear them more.
DeleteMerry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Strayer. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
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